Simulation and Experimental Results for a Phase Retrieval-Based Algorithm for Far Field Beam Steering and Shaping

摘要

Active laser-based electro-optical (EO) sensors on future aircraft and spacecraft will be used for a variety of missions and will be required to have a number of demanding technical characteristics. A key challenge to achieving these characteristics is the development of inexpensive, high degree of freedom optical wave front control devices, and the development of effective algorithms for controlling these devices. In this paper we present our research in the development of phase retrieval-based wavefront control algorithms that can be implemented with segmented liquid crystal-based wave front phase control devices. We have developed a wave front control algorithm that allows dynamic small-angle beam steering and shaping in the presence of an aberrating output window. Our approach is based on a phase retrieval algorithm to determine the optimal figure of a segmented wave front control device. Simulation and experimental results presented here show that this approach allows shaped far field patterns to be created, and steered over small angles.